E-Commerce Action Team membership announced

Information Technology Minister Paul Swain has announced the government's E-Commerce Action Team (Ecat) - one of the initiatives promised when it launched its E-commerce Strategy late last year.

"It will have a key role in promoting the uptake of e-commerce across sector and industry groups, and regions. So in choosing members I've looked for organisations which can have a multiplier effect across the economy, and individuals with a strong and practical understanding of e-commerce," said Mr Swain

He wants the Ecat core group to be a catalyst for the development of an Ecat network and web site - open to all groups who want to get their members on board with e-commerce.

Ecat will hold its its first meeting on March 6 in Wellington,

Members: Sir Gil Simpson, chair, founder and ceo of Aoraki Corporation; Brian Hawkins, chief manager special projects, National Bank; Graeme Sinclair, partner KPMG; Gavin Adlam, barrister and solicitor; John Chaffey, mayor of Hurunui District Council; Paul Winter, chief executive employers and manufacturers association (central); Tom Lambie, Federated Farmers vice president; Paul Goulter, NZ Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) general secretary; Jim O'Neill, Information Technology Association of NZ (ITANZ) executive director; Glenys Coughlan, Tourism Industry Association of NZ executive director; Philip Lewin, Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce chief executive; Mark Jeffries; Electronic Business Association of New Zealand chairman; Catherine Calarco cheif executive Onezone; Dr Shirley Leitch associate dean of management, University of Waikato; Prashanta Mukherjee, principal e-business, IBM New Zealand; Caron Taurima, cheif executive, Carich New Zealand.

Ex-officio members from Government Agencies: Brendan Boyle, director, e-Government Unit, SSC; Rod MacKenzie, director e-Business, TradeNZ; Dr Joseph Rousseau, strategic industry strategy manager, Industry New Zealand; Yvonne Lucas, director, competition and enterprise branch, Ministry of Economic Development.